Dear Gurudeva,
nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale
śrīmate jayapatāka svāmin iti nāmine
nama ācaryapādāya nitāi-kṛpā-pradāyine
gaura-kathā-dhāma-dāya nagara-grāma-tāriṇe
Please accept my humble obeisances on the auspicious occasion of Your 73rd Vyāsa-pūjā.
How can I even begin to write Your glories? Each time You amaze me and others, with the ease through which You overcome every so-called challenge, in a glorious way!
Though it may be a herculean task for me, I make this humble attempt!
Gurudeva, I’ve had Your kind association since 1998/9 in Dubai (DDY) and over the years I see Your saintly qualities that have stood the test of time – they have never changed.
M- You are Mahāprabhu’s Missionary, sent to preach in every corner of this world, as instructed by Your spiritual master, Our founder Ācārya, Śrīla Prabhupāda. You’ve preached the message of Mahāprabhu in countries from Africa, to Middle East and to the tribal areas in Bangladesh. Even to this day, You continue in this spirit of preaching despite any health setback You face.
A- You are anxiety-less - it is very much like the word anxiety does not exist in Your life’s dictionary. In the early days, with a super packed travel schedule, You would always have time, even in the last hour before flying out, to meet and speak with devotees from the congregation, whilst others around you were in anxiety of making it to the flight on time! Now, even with several health issues you still stay determined, fixed and free from any anxiety which is impossible for a common man.
S- Steadfastness - Your steadfastness in devotion to Śrīla Prabhupāda, Guru Paramparā and Śrī Śrī Nitāi Gaurāṅga, even in the face of adversities, is an example You set for Your disciples and well-wishers. An example that is too high for an ordinary being like me to reach!
T- Tolerant - You tolerate every health setback that you face with courage and determination to serve Your spiritual master’s orders.
E- Encouraging - You are always encouraging, not just to Your disciples and well-wishers, but also other people You meet like nurses, doctors, movie stars and even young children to chant the Holy names of the Lord even once. I remember when You had asked me, during my University days how many rounds I am chanting. I felt guilty to say that I was doing 2-4 rounds only, but You encouraged me to keep going. You always encourage many youngsters by calculating the total names chanted in 1 year, for 1 round of the Hare Kṛṣṇa Mahā Mantra and you would give a big ‘wow’ which was a huge encouragement for many!
R- You are the ‘Remover’ of the ignorance that has built up in my heart over many, many births and lifetimes because You simply spoke the message of the Supreme Lord that You received from Your spiritual master. You not only remove the darkness that fills my heart but You also replace it with the most beautiful qualities that I need as a servant, such as kindness, care, humbleness, enthusiasm and many more, all of which adorn You like a garland!
Hence, You are my ‘MASTER’, Our dearest spiritual ‘MASTER’. It has taken me many years to comprehend what it means to have a spiritual master and through Your mercy and blessings, I realise everyday what a priceless fortune I am gifted with to have You as my spiritual ‘MASTER’!
Just as Mother Devahūti prays to Lord Kapila in Śrīmad-bhāgavatam (3.25.8) that ‘You are the only means of getting out of this darkest region of ignorance because You are my transcendental eye, which I have attained only by Your mercy, after many many births’, I pray to You, dear Gurudeva, to help me cross from this side of conditioned life to the side of eternal freedom at the Lotus feet of Śrī Śrī Rādhā Mādhava.
Your unworthy disciple,
Gauraprema Gāyatrī devī dāsī (London, UK)
Soho Street, London, UK